Page 88 of The Girl Out of Time
“You will undoubtedly see the resemblance,” Lord Haverston said.
Emmeline wiped the side of her eye. Everyone always said she looked exactly like her mother, save for the color of her hair and the shape of her eyes. Now, beholding the portrait, she saw it.
“I had the pleasure of knowing my grandmother. She passed only a few years ago, so my memories of her are rather vivid.” Lord Haverston gazed at the portrait with soft, warm eyes. “I remember her voice and all the little ticks that made her who she was. How she swept a lock of hair behind her ear. How she always walked with a spryness in her step. The trickle of her laughter. And there’s something—I can’t explain it, it’s not exactly the same, but I see her in you.” He nodded his head. “If you’ll forgive me for the comparison, with you being much younger.”
“I’ve nothing to forgive. I can only thank you.”
“Miss Marshall—Emmeline, if I may call you so?”
“Of course.”
“I could—and I absolutely would be willing to—provide you with whatever monetary means you require and let you go your way. But I would truly appreciate it if you stayed. Be it for a day, a week, or more.” He cleared his throat, his cheeks coloring. “You’ve seen the size of this house. Once, it was full of voices and laughter, but my parents have passed away, and my sister is married and much too busy with her own family to worry about me. It’s easy to get lonely.”
Emmeline lowered her eyes to the floor. A few months ago, she couldn’t relate—how, when she was constantly surrounded and smothered by her family? But now … “I understand.”
“I don’t know which branch of the family tree you’re from,” he said. “But I’ll call you a cousin if you’ll allow me. It doesn’t seem too far off, given our ages. And if you agree, I’d love to have your company for a bit.”
She looked back up at the portrait and then at him. For the first time since she’d known him, he looked shy, vulnerable.
This wasn’t her true home, but it was as close to one as she could imagine, and Lord Haverston could turn into a good friend. She smiled. “I’ll stay.”
***
Theo fingered the Starry Night pendant in his coat’s inner pocket as the uniform townhouses of Mayfair whizzed past. The carriage turned onto a square, hosting a park with lines of plane trees, their leaves turning a light yellow with the oncoming fall.
The carriage pulled to a halt in front of a palatial residence, its ionic columns reaching past rows and rows of tall windows up to a decorative balustrade crowned with a frieze. “The residence of the Earl of Wescott,” the cabbie declared, and Theo jumped off and paid him for the ride, letting the carriage drive off as he stared at the house.
“Leon, meet your destiny,” he whispered to himself and couldn’t help but smile. It sounded like something Emmeline would say.
Oh, Emmeline.He had so many questions for her—who she was, and why she’d been pretending to be an heiress—but whatever her motives were, it mattered little now. Hopefully, the duke did his part, and she’d be safe.
As for himself … he squared his shoulders, braved the few steps up to the front door, and knocked.
An older gentleman opened the door, lifting his chin as he perused Theo’s appearance. “Yes?” he said with the air of superiority only a butler of one of the country’s most influential men could afford.
“I … I’m here to see Lord Wescott.”
“Your calling card, sir?”
“I don’t have one, but he’s expecting me.”
“His Lordship is not seeing visitors at this time.”
Whether Wescott was available or not, Theo knew what the words meant: a random stranger showing up on his doorstep wasn’t welcome. He didn’t fault Wescott for not notifying his butler of Theo’s arrival. “Could you please let him know I’m in town? My name—”
“Stanley, what is—oh, my,” a female voice said. Rushed but light steps followed, and the butler’s dismissal from the foyer. In front of Theo appeared a kind-looking, middle-aged woman with green-blue eyes and light brown hair swept back into a demure bun. Her fine dress and pearl necklace denoted her as the lady of the house, but Theo would’ve recognized her, regardless.
He’d seen those eyes before.
“Goodness. I can’t believe you’re finally here.” She moved a lock of hair out of his face, and even though Theo twitched at the unexpected touch, he didn’t find it unpleasant.
It was nice to have someone fuss over him. It had been a long time.
“Lady Wescott,” he greeted.
“Please. I will have no less than Aunt Augusta, or Aunt, if you so desire,” she said. “Oh, my darling boy. Look at you.” She took his hands, stretching out their arms as she stepped back. “You’re his spitting image.”
Theo’s heart leaped. “You knew my father?”
